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This
Powers # 5 projector was the major competitor of Pathe in 1908.
It was hand cranked (one turn a second) and used 1,000 foot film
reels (about 16 minutes). The large lens at the right is for
'coming attraction' glass slides (some call this a Stereopticon
lens). While changing film (about a minute), the projectionist
would show various glass slides. I asked a retired old timer if
the audience complained about the many breaks during a show. No.
That was the way it was.
Why
do silent movies often appear jinky and sped up (ala Keystone
Cops)? Because the early ones were filmed at 16 frames per
second. By the mid 1920's, silents ran at 22 FPS. When talkies
were introduced the speed increased to 24 FPS. So with a
projector made after 1928, the Keystone Cops are running 50%
overspeed!
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